Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton will deliver remarks at the South Sudan International Engagement Conference on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 10:00 am at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

The two-day conference will highlight the national development vision of the Republic of South Sudan and the opportunities for investment in the country. The conference will also salute the people of South Sudan for achieving their independence in July. President Salva Kiir Mayardit will address the conference and outline the development and policy priorities of South Sudan that serve as the foundations for the new nation. The conference will also focus on private sector and investment opportunities, in line with the economic priorities of the Republic of South Sudan.

Those scheduled to speak at the two-day event include: Secretary Clinton, Administrator Shah, UN Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk, U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Princeton Lyman, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson, U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan Susan D. Page, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer, and OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield. World Bank President Robert Zoellick, Senator John Kerry (D-MA), and Representative Donald Payne (D-NJ) will also participate, as well as development ministers, foreign officials, and private sector and NGO leaders.

Secretary Clinton’s remarks are open to the press.

Pre-set time for video cameras: 7:30am from the Woodley Road entrance.

Final access time for journalists and still photographers: 8:30am from the Woodley Road entrance.

Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification card (driver's license, passport).

For more information about the South Sudan International Engagement Conference and to view the agenda, including additional sessions open to the press please click here.